指责

Differences

This shows you the differences between two versions of the page.

Link to this comparison view

指责 [2025/08/10 12:39] – created xiaoer指责 [Unknown date] (current) – removed - external edit (Unknown date) 127.0.0.1
Line 1: Line 1:
-====== zhǐzé: 指责 - To Accuse, Blame, Reprimand ====== +
-===== Quick Summary ===== +
-  * **Keywords:** zhǐzé, 指责, meaning of zhǐzé, how to use zhǐzé, Chinese for criticize, Chinese for blame, accuse in Chinese, Chinese reprimand, zhǐzé vs piping, 指责 vs 批评, HSK 5 vocabulary. +
-  * **Summary:** Learn the powerful Chinese word **指责 (zhǐzé)**, which means to accuse, blame, or reprimand. This comprehensive guide for English speakers breaks down the meaning of 指责, its cultural significance related to 'face' (面子), and how it differs from the more common word for 'criticize' (批评, pīpíng). Explore 10+ practical example sentences to master the use of this serious and formal term in modern Chinese conversation and writing. +
-===== Core Meaning ===== +
-  * **Pinyin (with tone marks):** zhǐ zé +
-  * **Part of Speech:** Verb +
-  * **HSK Level:** HSK 5 +
-  * **Concise Definition:** To point out someone's faults and blame them; to accuse or reprimand. +
-  * **In a Nutshell:** 指责 (zhǐzé) is a strong, formal, and serious word used when you are blaming or accusing someone of a significant mistake or wrongdoing. Think of it less as "offering criticism" and more as "pointing the finger" to assign blame. It carries a heavy, confrontational tone and is not used for light or constructive feedback. +
-===== Character Breakdown ===== +
-  * **指 (zhǐ):** This character means "to point" or "finger". It's composed of the "hand" radical (手) on the left and a phonetic component on the right. Imagine literally pointing your finger at something. +
-  * **责 (zé):** This character means "to demand," "to hold responsible," or "to blame." It relates to a duty or a standard that has not been met. +
-  * When combined, **指责 (zhǐzé)** literally means "to point and blame." This visual combination perfectly captures the word's direct, accusatory nature. +
-===== Cultural Context and Significance ===== +
-The use of 指责 (zhǐzé) is deeply connected to the cultural concept of **[[面子]] (miànzi)**, or "face," which represents a person's social standing, reputation, and dignity. +
-To publicly 指责 someone is to directly challenge their competence and integrity, causing them to "lose face." Because maintaining social harmony is highly valued, such direct confrontation is often avoided. People may prefer to use indirect communication or less harsh words. +
-**Comparison to Western Culture:** In American or Western contexts, "criticism" can often be framed as constructive ("constructive criticism") and is a common part of feedback in work or school. **指责 (zhǐzé)**, however, rarely has this constructive connotation. It is almost exclusively negative and accusatory. While an American boss might "criticize" an employee's report to help them improve, a Chinese boss who uses 指责 is delivering a serious reprimand and assigning blame for a failure. +
-Using 指责 inappropriately can be seen as aggressive, rude, and disrespectful, potentially damaging a relationship beyond repair. It's reserved for situations where a clear line has been crossed and blame must be formally assigned. +
-===== Practical Usage in Modern China ===== +
-  * **Formal Settings:** This is the most common context. You will see 指责 in news reports about officials being accused of corruption, in legal documents, or in formal company memos reprimanding an employee for a major error. +
-  * **Serious Personal Disputes:** In arguments between family members, partners, or close friends, 指责 can be used, but it signals a very serious level of conflict. Using it escalates the situation from a simple disagreement to a direct accusation of fault. +
-  * **Connotation:** The connotation is overwhelmingly negative and heavy. It implies a moral or procedural failing that is not just a simple mistake. +
-===== Example Sentences ===== +
-  * **Example 1:**  +
-    * 他因工作中的严重失误而受到老板的**指责**。 +
-    * Pinyin: Tā yīn gōngzuò zhōng de yánzhòng shīwù ér shòudào lǎobǎn de **zhǐzé**. +
-    * English: He was **reprimanded** by his boss because of a serious mistake at work. +
-    * Analysis: This is a classic formal usage. "受到指责" (shòudào zhǐzé) means "to receive a reprimand/accusation," a common passive structure. +
-  * **Example 2:**  +
-    * 你不应该毫无根据地**指责**别人。 +
-    * Pinyin: Nǐ bù yīnggāi háo wú gēnjù de **zhǐzé** biérén. +
-    * English: You shouldn't **accuse** others without any evidence. +
-    * Analysis: This sentence highlights the seriousness of 指责, implying that accusations require proof ("根据" - gēnjù). +
-  * **Example 3:**  +
-    * 在问题面前,相互**指责**是解决不了任何问题的。 +
-    * Pinyin: Zài wèntí miànqián, xiānghù **zhǐzé** shì jiějué bùliǎo rènhé wèntí de. +
-    * English: In the face of a problem, mutually **blaming** each other won't solve anything. +
-    * Analysis: "相互指责" (xiānghù zhǐzé) means "to blame each other." This shows the word used in the context of conflict resolution (or the lack thereof). +
-  * **Example 4:**  +
-    * 媒体**指责**该官员滥用权力。 +
-    * Pinyin: Méitǐ **zhǐzé** gāi guānyuán lànyòng quánlì. +
-    * English: The media **accused** the official of abusing power. +
-    * Analysis: This is a typical example from news reporting, where the tone is formal and the accusation is serious. +
-  * **Example 5:**  +
-    * 她**指责**丈夫对家庭不够关心。 +
-    * Pinyin: Tā **zhǐzé** zhàngfū duì jiātíng bùgòu guānxīn. +
-    * English: She **accused** her husband of not caring enough about the family. +
-    * Analysis: This demonstrates its use in a personal, but very serious, conflict. This is not a simple complaint; it's a direct accusation. +
-  * **Example 6:**  +
-    * 出了事,别总是**指责**别人,先反省一下自己。 +
-    * Pinyin: Chūle shì, bié zǒngshì **zhǐzé** biérén, xiān fǎnxǐng yīxià zìjǐ. +
-    * English: When something goes wrong, don't always **blame** others; first, reflect on yourself. +
-    * Analysis: This sentence contrasts blaming others with self-reflection (反省 - fǎnxǐng), a common piece of advice in Chinese culture. +
-  * **Example 7:**  +
-    * 面对父母的**指责**,他一言不发。 +
-    * Pinyin: Miànduì fùmǔ de **zhǐzé**, tā yī yán bù fā. +
-    * English: Faced with his parents' **accusations**, he didn't say a word. +
-    * Analysis: Here, 指责 is used as a noun ("the accusation/blame"). This is a common pattern. +
-  * **Example 8:**  +
-    * 我不是在**指责**你,我只是想把事实说清楚。 +
-    * Pinyin: Wǒ bùshì zài **zhǐzé** nǐ, wǒ zhǐshì xiǎng bǎ shìshí shuō qīngchǔ. +
-    * English: I'm not **accusing** you, I just want to clarify the facts. +
-    * Analysis: People often say this to soften a direct statement, acknowledging the heavy weight of the word 指责. +
-  * **Example 9:**  +
-    * 他的辩解听起来像是在**指责**受害者。 +
-    * Pinyin: Tā de biànjiě tīng qǐlái xiàngshì zài **zhǐzé** shòuhàizhě. +
-    * English: His defense sounded like he was **blaming** the victim. +
-    * Analysis: This shows the concept of "victim-blaming," a context where 指责 is a perfect fit. +
-  * **Example 10:**  +
-    * 国际社会一致**指责**其侵略行为。 +
-    * Pinyin: Guójì shèhuì yīzhì **zhǐzé** qí qīnlüè xíngwéi. +
-    * English: The international community unanimously **condemned** its act of aggression. +
-    * Analysis: In this high-level, formal context, 指责 is strong enough to be translated as "condemn" or "denounce." A harsher alternative here would be [[谴责]] (qiǎnzé). +
-===== Nuances and Common Mistakes ===== +
-The most common mistake for learners is to confuse **指责 (zhǐzé)** with **[[批评]] (pīpíng)**. +
-  *   **指责 (zhǐzé) - To Accuse/Blame:** +
-    *   **Focus:** Assigning blame for a fault or wrongdoing. +
-    *   **Connotation:** Strongly negative, confrontational, serious. +
-    *   **Goal:** To hold someone responsible. +
-    *   **Example:** "你为什么迟到?" (Why are you late?) -> "我指责你没有责任心。" (I accuse you of having no sense of responsibility.) - //This is an extremely harsh escalation.// +
-  *   **批评 (pīpíng) - To Criticize:** +
-    *   **Focus:** Pointing out a shortcoming or mistake. +
-    *   **Connotation:** Can be neutral or even constructive. It's the standard word for feedback. +
-    *   **Goal:** Can be to help someone improve. +
-    *   **Example:** A teacher might **批评** a student's essay (critique it) to show them how to write better. Using **指责** would imply the student did something morally wrong, which would be inappropriate. +
-**INCORRECT USAGE:** +
-  *   `老师指责了我的作文。` (Lǎoshī zhǐzéle wǒ de zuòwén.) +
-  *   **Why it's wrong:** This is too harsh. It sounds like the teacher is accusing you of some terrible transgression, like plagiarism. The correct word would be **批评 (pīpíng)**. +
-Think of it this way: You **批评** a plan, but you **指责** a person. +
-===== Related Terms and Concepts ===== +
-  *   [[批评]] (pīpíng) - To criticize. The most important related term. It is much more common and less harsh than 指责. +
-  *   [[责备]] (zébèi) - To reproach, to blame. Very similar to 指责 but perhaps slightly more personal and emotional, and less formal or public. +
-  *   [[谴责]] (qiǎnzé) - To condemn, to denounce. Even stronger and more formal than 指责. Used for major moral, ethical, or political violations (e.g., condemning terrorism). +
-  *   [[抱怨]] (bàoyuàn) - To complain. Focuses on expressing one's own dissatisfaction or grievance, rather than directly accusing another person of fault. +
-  *   [[怪]] (guài) - To blame. A very common and colloquial verb. "都怪我" (dōu guài wǒ) means "It's all my fault." It's less formal than 指责. +
-  *   [[错误]] (cuòwù) - Mistake, error. This is often the //reason// for the 指责. +
-  *   [[责任]] (zérèn) - Responsibility. 指责 is often about assigning responsibility (or blame) for a negative outcome. +
-  *   [[面子]] (miànzi) - "Face"; social standing. This is what is at stake when someone is publicly 指责'd.+